Royals Earn The Split At Fenway, Say What?

This four-game series that just wrapped up this afternoon with the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park boggles the mind.

Not only did the Royals (44-61) earn a split with a 4-3 win but they also beat Josh Beckett (9-4) in the finale.

So if you're scoring at home, the Red Sox (64-39) lost the two games started by Jon Lester and Beckett while Andrew Miller and John Lackey started games that Boston eventually won (Miller got a no-decision, Lackey got his fourth straight win). Weird.

Luke Hochevar (7-8) outdueled Beckett which isn't something you can say pretty much ever. The former first-round pick went seven solid innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits with a walk and six strikeouts.

Beckett wasn't bad by any means and with Boston's offense, they'll almost always win a game at home where the opposition scores four runs (especially when it's a team like the Royals). He also went seven innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits with three walks and eight strikeouts.

In an equally shocking development, the Red Sox were held to less than ten hits (eight). Jacoby Ellsbury gave Boston its only lead of the game as he hit a two-run single in the third scoring Yamaico Navarro and Jason Varitek.

Billy Butler put Kansas City ahead for good with a three-run bomb in the fourth. Rookie Mike Moustakas added an RBI double which turned out to be key.

Dustin Pedroia built up the drama and extended his hit streak to 25 games with a solo homer to lead off the eighth. His 15th homer of the season gave him the longest hit streak ever for a Red Sox second baseman.

Carl Crawford, sat for the second game in a row, but he nearly provided his fourth walk-off hit of his so far underachieving season. He hit a deep fly ball to the warning track in right with a runner aboard in the ninth but Jeff Francoeur managed to basket catch it.

Royals closer Joakim Soria recorded the final three outs for his 19th save of the season.

The Red Sox hit the road for a short trip-three games in Chicago. Tomorrow night, Gavin Floyd opposes Tim Wakefield. The most interesting aspect of the weekend series is that Boston will experience the trade deadline (Sunday at 4pm) away from Fenway which always makes for an awkward day.

With Carlos Beltran going to the Giants and Hunter Pence likely staying in the National League, bank on Boston picking up a fifth starter for its shaky rotation (who knows when Buchholz will return). Erik Bedard and Hiroki Kuroda appear to be the most likely options.

Follow @RichSlate


Tweet